"Tman" asked
When approaching a towered airport (Class D), suppose I am told a few
miles out "report a 3-mile right base, runway 23"... as often happens.

I frequently get this at KBJC, Jeffco -- oops -- Metro, Denver, Colorado. A
few years ago I stopped guessing and called the tower (on a land line) and
asked what they expected. I was told they expected me to fly a right base
and turn to a three mile final.